The Obstructive Sleep Apnoea syndrome (OSA) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSA is amongst the commonest chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. We will examine how muscles in the throat act to keep the airway open. We will also study how tongue and jaw position influences throat blockage. The throat is lined with fluid which ....The Obstructive Sleep Apnoea syndrome (OSA) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSA is amongst the commonest chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. We will examine how muscles in the throat act to keep the airway open. We will also study how tongue and jaw position influences throat blockage. The throat is lined with fluid which may become dry and sticky if, for example, breathing takes place via the mouth rather than the nose. We will study the effects of this throat lining fluid and examine ways in which treatments might help to avoid throat blockage during sleep by keeping the throat lined with non-sticky fluid. These studies will increase our understanding of OSA and help to design better treatments for the condition. People who have OSA also may develop high blood pressure associated with the nervous system response to breathing difficulties during sleep over a long period of time. In the same way as is used in the lie detector test, we will use measurements of the electrical conductivity of the skin to assess this nervous system response during sleep. These studies will help to understand how hypertension develops in OSA and who is likely to be affected. Asthma is a major health problem in Australia affecting around 20% of children and 12% of adults. Asthmatics react to inhaled pollens etc. The nose normally acts as a filter to remove many such particles from the inhaled air. If breathing takes place via the mouth more and larger particles can gain access to the lungs. We will investigate whether asthmatics breathe through their nose only or breathe through the mouth more than normal (particularly during sleep), if treatments can alter this and whether such treatments reduce the occurence of asthma attacks.Read moreRead less
Surface Tension Of Upper Airway Lining Liquid: Role In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Hyponoea Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,833.00
Summary
The obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSAHS affects both men and women but is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. In the proposed studies we will examine the effect that the liquid layer that lines the throat, has on the ability of the airway to st ....The obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSAHS affects both men and women but is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. In the proposed studies we will examine the effect that the liquid layer that lines the throat, has on the ability of the airway to stay open during sleep. In particular we will examine whether coating the throat with a substance that decreases stickiness will help to prevent the occurrence of episodes of throat blockage during sleep in persons with OSAHS. We will also explore the role of saliva production and swallowing during sleep in maintaining a low stickiness of the throat and whether this liquid lining is abnormal in OSAHS patients. These studies will establish the potential usefulness of decreasing the stickiness of the liquid lining the throat as a treatment for OSAHS.Read moreRead less
Investigate The Role Of Platelet Von Willebrand Factor In Initiating Platelet Aggregation Under Flow
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,165.00
Summary
Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to ....Platelets are small specialised blood cells that are essential for normal blood clotting and repair of damaged blood vessels following injury. We are studying the processes that enable platelets to stick to each other and to other cells to form a stable blood clot at the site of injury. The same processes, unchecked, are involved in the formation of harmful blood clots in the bloodstream that may block blood vessels in the heart or brain and result in a heart attack or stroke. Platelets stick to the blood vessel wall through specialised adhesive proteins. These adhesion proteins are stored within the platelet and expressed on the cell surface when the platelets stick to the blood vessel wall. In conditions such as Gray Platelet Syndrome, the platelets are unable to store adhesion receptors, resulting in impaired blood clot formation. A clearer understanding of how platelets stick to the blood vessel wall will not only increase our knowledge of blood clot formation in health and disease, but also with the potential development of new therapies for the prevention of heart disease and stroke.Read moreRead less
New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,103,883.00
Summary
Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the abi ....Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the ability to completely defluorinate PFAS, treat significant water quantities and help address many of the pressing concerns facing water treatment operators. This technology is also scalable, and can potentially be used to treat significant quantities of contaminated water.Read moreRead less